Robotic probes—including Ranger VIII, launched 50 years ago this week—paved the way for humankind’s giant leap to the Moon. This history may help guide future plans for lunar exploration.
Space & Planets
Posted inResearch Spotlights
What’s Driving Titan’s Atmosphere?
A new analysis of Cassini data reveals a major source of heavy hydrocarbons on Saturn’s moon Titan.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Can Scientists Boost Solar Modeling Despite a Lack of Data?
Researchers show that a data processing technique could salvage useful information from raw solar observations, opening the door to improved understanding of the solar dynamo.
Posted inNews
Probing Exoplanet Interiors Through Lab Simulations
Laser-driven experiments on silica help scientists learn more about planetary formation and evolution.
Posted inNews
Traces of Glass-Eating Microbes Found in Ancient Lake Bed
A serendipitous discovery of tiny tunnels in lava that cooled rapidly under fresh water could help scientists search for life on Mars.
Posted inNews
MAVEN Unlocks Secrets of the Martian Atmosphere
In its first month, NASA’s orbiter saw effects of the solar wind at low altitude and tracked a plume of gases escaping into space
Posted inNews
Group Calls for More Focus on Potentially Hazardous Asteroids
A declaration from astronauts, scientists, and others calls for dramatically increasing the detection and tracking of potentially hazardous near-Earth objects.
Posted inAGU News
Learn about the MAVEN Mission to Mars at the 2014 Public Lecture
The 2014 AGU Public Lecture will feature a panel of expert scientists who will speak about the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission.
Posted inScience Updates
Rapid Coordination Extends Space-Based Sun-Climate Record
Faced with the prospect of a large data gap in solar irradiance records, scientists take steps to ensure that this key climate variable stays monitored.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Role of Lunar Atmospheric Tides in Thermosphere Density
Researchers explored how lunar gravity affects the density of the thermosphere. The study could help improve the accuracy of satellite orbit predictions.